by Mark Blaudschun, Special for USA TODAY Sports

by Mark Blaudschun, Special for USA TODAY Sports

WALTHAM, Mass. - He walked onto the practice court the Boston Celtics use to go about the business of being one of the most storied franchises in sports.

Brad Stevens was introduced on Friday as the new coach of the Celtics, but the 36-year-old talked as much about the past as he did the present and future.

It mattered little that Stevens wasn't even born when Bill Russell helped the Celtics win an 11th title in 1969, or when John Havlicek won two more titles in the early '70s.

Stevens agreed on Wednesday to a 6-year contract that will pay him $22 million to help the Celtics and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge rebuild a franchise that will be missing not only Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, but coach Doc Rivers.

It was a move that surprised almost everyone. Stevens not only is young, he also lacks NBA experience â?? generally regarded as a formula for failure in the NBA.

Rivers left the Celtics with some choices when he departed to become the coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Brad was my first choice,'' said Ainge, who says he has been a fan of Stevens for years, citing to the back-to-back NCAA championship games which Butler produced under Stevens in 2010 and 2011.

Ainge said that before the NCAA title game between Butler and Duke in 2010, he stated that given a choice between Duke Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski and Stevens, he would opt for the latter.

"I admired his poise and intelligence,'' said Ainge, who must find a way to take the nine draft choices the Celtics will have in the next five years and create a contender. "I always looked at him the last five years as a candidate to become a great coach. I was never thinking I would come this soon.''

Ainge said the reaction to Stevens' hiring has been positive.

"The feedback has been amazing,'' said Ainge, who flew to Indianapolis two weeks ago with an offer and closed the deal on Wednesday.

Ainge knows that Stevens, who's name seems to be kicked around whenever a major college program has an opening, has had no problem staying at a place where he was well-compensated and well-regarded.

"It was a difficult situation for Brad,'' Ainge said.

Stevens made clear in the past few years that the only job he wanted coaching college basketball was at Butler.

"Brad's success will be determined by what I do," Ainge added. "He will have great support. The transition from the college game to the NBA is difficult."

Stevens played the tradition card early and often.

"I'm absolutely humbled to be sitting in this room, looking around at the banners,'' he said. "I'm in awe of the Boston Celtics and the Boston Celtic organization. I'm a process guy that believes in relationships. I couldn't be more thrilled for the opportunity.

"It was hard to leave (Butler). We're not going to lose any passion for Indy and Butler, but we're just as excited about all the opportunities.''

Stevens said he has already talked to point guard Rajon Rondo, who is regarded as the linchpin of a roster that is in transition and will continue to change as Ainge attempts to put things back to together.